Undergraduate Course: Applications of Human Resource Management (BUST10129)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The aim of this course is to enhance our understanding of the intricacies and complexities of managing people in the modern workplace. It is intended to build on existing knowledge of the subject area from Organisational Behaviour 2 and/or Human Resource Management 2. The course will focus on the policy, adoption and outcomes of contemporary HRM. Throughout, the course will take a critical perspective on the implications of human resource policies and practice for all stakeholders: managers at all levels, employees of all types, and society as a whole. |
| Course description |
The course will begin by considering the different theoretical approaches to understanding human resource management. It will then consider a range of contemporary and ongoing issues in depth, for example, recruitment and selection, diversity, the psychological contract, the impact of technology, evidence-based management, and HRM in an international context.
Topics on this course reflect contemporary issues and are therefore updated on an annual basis. Indicative topics include:
- Objectives, adoption and outcomes of contemporary HRM
- Recruitment and Selection
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Trust in the workplace
- Performance Appraisal
- Technology and HRM
- Training and Development
- Sustainable HRM and corporate social responsibility
Student Learning Experience
The course comprises a mixture of formal lectures, group discussions and class exercises. The lectures will provide an overview of key issues, supported by a range of suggested readings. Group discussions will focus upon understanding of the study and practice of HRM and its implications for organisational stakeholders. Depending on student numbers, students may be given responsibility, as individuals or in groups, for analysing a particular topic, practice or research contribution. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions.
The course project is integrative in nature, bringing together insights and understanding from more than one topic in order to encourage the development of stronger evaluative, rather than descriptive, skills.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students must have at least 4 Business courses at grade B or above. This MUST INCLUDE one course equivalent to BUST08028 Organisational Behaviour 2 AND/OR BUST08027 Human Resource Management 2. This course cannot be taken alongside BUST08028 Organisational Behaviour 2 or BUST08027 Human Resource Management 2. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
172 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
70 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
The course will be assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and a written examination.
One 2,000 word project will be completed by the end of the semester, and will contribute 30% towards the final mark. This will provide students an opportunity to synthesise key concepts and theories engaged in the course and critically reflect on issues and controversies associated with current debates in human resource management.
Written Exam - 70%: The exam will comprise 4 questions of which the students will complete 2. This will provide students an opportunity to present their overall grasp on current trends in HRM and key policies and practices in the application of HRM research. This will be evaluated on the basis of short answers and essay questions.
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| Feedback |
Generic feedback on your coursework, together with individual marks, will be available on Learn on DATE (to be confirmed). You will also be able to review your individual feedback electronically via Grademark on Learn from SAME DATE.
Your examination marks will be posted on Learn (together with generic feedback and examination statistics) as soon as possible after the Boards of Examiners' meeting (normally end of January/beginning of February).
There will be both formal and informal student feedback on the course. Students will be requested to complete an online course evaluation questionnaire towards the end of the course. In addition, an end of course review session will provide an opportunity for less structured feedback from students. Both these sources will be analysed in line with School and College quality audit procedures. In addition, where relevant, the feedback will be conveyed to the external examiner prior to the Board of Examiners meeting. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe and discuss critically key issues and controversies associated with current debates in human resource management.
- Critically assess the objectives, rationales, uses and limitations of various managerial policies and practices in human resource management.
- Identify and discuss critically the scale and nature of adoption of specific human resource policies; Identify and critically evaluate the perspectives of key stakeholders in the theory and practice of human resource management.
- Understand and discuss critically the nature of contemporary HRM research.
- Discuss the longer term consequences of current trends in HRM.
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Reading List
There is no required text-book for this course. Given the expansive nature of the topics covered, book chapters and academic journals will be primary material used. All required readings will be available online.
Additionally, students should be familiar with the University Library's electronic journals system. In addition, students will be expected to keep up-to-date with developments in the area through newspaper and business reports.
Recommended Texts
TBC
Relevant Journals
There are a number of relevant journals in this area. Useful material is to be found in the following:
- Human Resource Management Journal (available in electronic form)
- Employee Relations (available in electronic form)
- People Management (available in hard copy in the library)
- Personnel Review (available in electronic form)
- International Journal of Human Resource Management (available in electronic form)
- Journal of Managerial Psychology
- Journal of Management
- Work, Employment & Society (available in electronic form)
- Journal of Business Ethics (available in electronic form)
- Organization (available in electronic form)
Relevant Websites
Some relevant websites are listed below.
- www.bis.gov.uk
- www.cbi.org.uk
- www.cipd.co.uk
- www.equalityhumanrights.com
- www.theworkfoundation.com
- www.tuc.org.uk
- www.bestcompanies.co.uk
Resource List: https://eu01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44UOE_INST/lists/18388715850002466?auth=SAML |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Develop critical perspective on the implications of human resource policies and practice for all stakeholders: managers at all levels, employees of all types, and society as a whole. |
| Keywords | AHRM |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ishbel McWha-Hermann
Tel: (0131 6)51 5466
Email: Ishbel.McWha@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Helen Tweedale
Tel: (0131 6)50 3827
Email: Helen.Tweedale@ed.ac.uk |
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